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Convention losers can win a spot on the primary ballot one signature at a time

By Jimmy Vielkind Capitol bureau

Published 1:00 am, Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI

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Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, who is seeking a line on the GOP primary ballot for governor via the petition route, is interviewed Tuesday by Susan Arbetter during her public radio news magazine show at the Capitol. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) less

Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, who is seeking a line on the GOP primary ballot for governor via the petition route, is interviewed Tuesday by Susan Arbetter during her public radio news magazine show at the ... more

Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI

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Carl Paladino, who is seeking to enter the Republican primary for governor through a petition drive, is interviewed by Susan Arbetter during her public radio news magazine show Tuesday at the Capitol. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

Carl Paladino, who is seeking to enter the Republican primary for governor through a petition drive, is interviewed by Susan Arbetter during her public radio news magazine show Tuesday at the Capitol. (Paul ... more

Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI

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ALBANY -- Coming to your door soon: candidates for statewide office who didn't make the first cut to get on the primary ballot.

Several office-seekers launched their petition drives Tuesday and have until July 15 to gather at least 15,000 signatures from enrolled party members around the state.

It's a daunting task that takes lots of time, and money. And while it's open to any eligible person with big dreams, the system is stacked in favor of well-financed candidates -- like Carl Paladino. The Buffalo developer wants to run for governor on the Republican line and said he would invest up to $500,000 to pay for petition infrastructure.

He has hired John Haggerty, a political operative from Queens, to lead his effort. (Haggerty is reportedly under investigation for payments from the Independence Party, but Paladino said he is a "great man" and "knowledgeable.")

"I stated from the beginning that I will go to Albany without owing anything. We chose not to go around and kiss the ring of every county chair," said Paladino, who in addition to seeking the GOP nomination is also considering gathering signatures to create a new line to appeal to Tea Party activists.

The activists will likely form Paladino's volunteer base, and he will likely draw most of his signatures from Erie County. Law requires, however, that he draw at least 100 signatures from half of the state's 29 congressional districts.

Warren Redlich, a Guilderland Town Board member, is also pondering a petition drive. He attended the GOP convention last week to look for other candidates with whom he could split the burden of gathering signatures.

"So far I would say it's going badly," he said, noting other Republicans turned him down. Next month he will work to circulate petitions -- mostly at events -- to create a Libertarian Party line on the ballot. That unrecognized party nominated Redlich as their standard bearer earlier this month.

Another petitioner is ex-Rep. Joe DioGuardi, who is seeking to unseat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. DioGuardi has the Conservative Party line and is hoping to enter the Republican primary, despite falling short at the convention. This weekend he affirmed his commitment to a petition drive and claimed some Republicans offered aid if he backed away from his Conservative endorsement.

To insulate themselves, candidates often aim for more signatures than required. Election law allows petitions to be disqualified for small imperfections, and other candidates often successfully mount challenges. It's unclear if any of the designated Republican candidates try to knock Paladino off the ballot, but the candidate said he planned to gather 40,000 signatures.

That will be a much greater feat for even lesser-known candidates. They're resorting to stunts to gain momentum, which will be more political entertainment than effective strategy.

Randy Credico, a comedian and drug reform advocate, will dress as an ancient Greek as he attempts a run against Sen. Chuck Schumer. And Joel Tyner, a Dutchess County legislator, will walk from Wall Street to Albany starting in two weeks. He hopes to challenge Andrew Cuomo from the left.

"I'm busting my tokhes for the next few weeks, but the whole point of this walk is to reach out through the media," Tyner said.